Network of Ensemble Theaters (2009)

Small theaters conceptually are fully as complex as large-scale theater organizations, and they face the same array of sophisticated challenges. They often spend all of their resources on art works, and just as often they have little left over for management of finances, human resources, and external relationships. Their artists often have to divert time and talent away from the art works to the minimum necessary level of management work, risking burnout and feelings of dissatisfaction on both fronts. The theaters exist in a continuing state of imbalance between the sophistication of their artistry and the sophistication of their management, limiting the extent to which the artistry can develop further, receive more generous support, and be more widely seen. This phenomenon is widely recognized across the country. Among other possible solutions, many observers think the concept of a number of theaters sharing management resources holds significant potential advantages, including the ab